President George W. Bush leads our nation in a time of unprecedented peril. But how well do we really know him or his remarkable family, whose history often mirrors the history of America? Now, in the first full-scale biography of the Bushes, Peter and Rochelle Schweizer trace the extraordinary trajectory of their rise to power.

Through a series of exclusive, surprisingly candid interviews with members of the family and close friends, the inner workings of this very private family are revealed: their marriages and friendships; the intense sibling rivalry between George W. and Jeb Bush; divisions between father and son over the Iraq war; even Jeb Bush’s plans to run for president in 2008. Never-before-seen private photos add even greater detail and depth to this fascinating family portrait.

And above all, we see George W. Bush the way his family does, as an intensely driven person who has a much more complex relationship with his father than has often been portrayed in the media. Family members talk about how he deals with the stresses of the war on terrorism, why he sees it as a “religious war,” and how his personal faith influences what he says and does.

The Schweizers also delve into the Bushes’ sensitive and secret business dealings, including their long history of involvement in the oil business. Their shrewd alliances with other American dynasties—including the Kennedys, Rockefellers, and Tafts—have all helped to quietly consolidate their power within the Republican Party.Indeed, what makes the Bushes so successful is that they function less like the great political families before them and more like a high-tech startup: free-flowing, pragmatic, and opportunistic. It is this distinction that assures them an enduring presence on the nation’s political stage, making The Bushes essential reading for anyone who cares about America’s future.

Quotes & Awards

"What the Schweizers do best is explore that dynamic over three generations of Bush males. . . . This book is the place to start if you want to understand how family has molded the Bush men.Houston Chronicle“Offers insights on the Bush relationships and rivalries, their ambitions and their impressions of each other’s successes and problems.

"[A] detailed history of the Bush dynasty--sprinkled with anecdotal family gossip that provides fresh humanizing insights . . . along with an intriguing snapshot of the conflicted relationship, fuelled in equal parts by love and competition, between 'Big George,' and 'Little George.'The Independent on Sunday

If you want to know as fully as can be told the story of how the Bushes rose from Midwestern obscurity to equal the records of families like the Roosevelts, the Kennedys and the Adamses–this is the book.New York Post

Revealing about the internal dynamics of this interesting familyÉ. The Bushes opened up to the Schweizers and discussed intimate details of their history.The Washington Post Book World

No one has gotten as close to penetrating the Bush family dynamics, and the complex relationship between father and son.The Providence Journal

"This is a dynasty indeed, no matter how the family demurs. . . . The Schweizers have succeeded in humanizing what can be a curiously detached family by ferreting out fascinating detail.Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Fascinating. . . . Provides illuminating insights into the internal dynamics of the Bush family dynasty.The New York Times

"Offer[s] rare--and controversial--insight into the family some call the Republican Kennedys.Boston Herald

Listener Opinions

Brian Niskala | 6/25/2013

" Good read, give you a great back ground on how the Bushes came to power in America. Lots of behind the scenes stuff that would surprise you. "

Chris Mcmanaman | 6/21/2013

" It was a good high level survey of all the events in the Bush family history and how they would like to be portrayed in history. "

Paul | 1/23/2013

" Debbie and I listened to this 12 CD edition. Once started it was hard to stop listening to the book until we were done. It was very informative and shed light on President George Bush's character and actions that are not so objectively shed to the public through the media sources. "

" Apparently George and Laura met at a BBQ. Also, they had fake palm trees at the apartment complex where GWB lived as a young bachelor. All kinds of interesting facts! "

Jung Lee | 8/9/2011

" Our Prez was a C student and a party animal in college. "

Brian | 3/5/2011

" Good read, give you a great back ground on how the Bushes came to power in America. Lots of behind the scenes stuff that would surprise you.
"

Paul | 1/15/2009

" Debbie and I listened to this 12 CD edition. Once started it was hard to stop listening to the book until we were done. It was very informative and shed light on President George Bush's character and actions that are not so objectively shed to the public through the media sources.
"

About the Author

Peter Schweizer is the author of Extortion, Throw Them All Out, Architects of Ruin, and other books that have revealed political wrongdoing and led to congressional resignations and new ethics laws. He is the founder and director of the Government Accountability Institute, a team of investigative researchers and journalists committed to investigating and exposing crony capitalism, misuse of taxpayer monies, and other governmental corruption or malfeasance.

About the Narrator

Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.

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